Epson has introduced two new 12-colour roll-fed photo printers that offer the company’s widest-yet colour gamut, claiming to be able to match 99% of the Pantone Formula Guide solid coated palette, for fine art and high quality proofing applications.
 

Based on existing Epson photo printer designs, two new printers, the SureColor SC-P7500
and SC-P9500, respectively offer 24in (60cm) and 44in (1.11m) roll capabilities for printing on fine art papers, canvases and photo papers. The Ultrachrome K3 aqueous ink set includes orange, green and violet primary colours as well as CMYK plus multiple light cyan, magenta and black inks. Both matte and photo black are now loaded simultaneously, doing away with the requirement to change black ink when changing from matte to glossy stock. Deep blacks are further improved through ‘black enhancement overcoating technology’ on glossy papers.
 

Resolutions of up to 2400 x 1200dpi are offered via Epson’s 300dpi printheads, with up to 800 nozzles per colour. Productivity is said to be four times greater than on previous Epson models; product manager Tom Owers claimed that the new machines are 1.6 times faster than competing Canon models at equivalent settings, though no actual figures were given.

An optional spectrophotometer allows for inline colour management, expected to appeal in contract proofing and packaging applications. Both models will be available in December 2019.
 

Phil McMullin, pro graphics sales manager, Epson UK, said, ‘To be able to offer 12-colour photo printers is a genuine first for us at Epson. This is further complemented by impressive print speeds, output quality and a user-friendly interface. Everything is designed to work in perfect harmony as we offer the complete solution – printer, inks, substrates, software and support.’